Woodland-Dwelling Butterflies With A Scottish Stronghold

Chequered skippers used to be common throughout the British midlands, but a change in woodland management techniques sadly caused them to become extinct in England in 1976. The only remaining UK populations can be found in western Scotland, where they live and breed in broad-leaved woodlands.

Brown and yellow spots dotted around their wings give these insects a chequered appearance.

This skipper’s preferred food is purple moor-grass, although they seem to be attracted to any woodland habitat with blue flowers. Witnessing these golden insects perched regally on coloured foliage is a stunning sight, but a rare one; due to their isolated habitats, some experts consider chequered skippers the trickiest British butterflies to spot in the wild.